Portable,folding stepladder

ABSTRACT

A portable stepladder comprising: a stepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, and a rear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of the stepladder along a horizontal axis, both said stepladder and said rear support being longitudinally split into two sections hinged with each other and both hinge connections lying in a common plane to allow the stepladder structure to be folded-up into its closed condition.

United States Patent n 1 Lucci et al.

[ 1 3,744,591 July 10,1973

PORTABLE, FOLDING STEPLADDER lnventors: Roberto Lucci, Milan; Paolo()rlandini, Allolmo, both of Italy S.p.A. VELCA, Legnano (Milan), ItalyFiled: Apr. 18, 1972 Appl. No.: 245,160

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data June 25,1971 Italy ..26250 /\/7| US.Cl 182/156, 182/46, 182/177 Int. Cl. E06c 1/383 Field of Search..182/156, 152, 104,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1970 Boyd 182/152 PrimaryExaminer-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Arvin S. Thompson et all.

[57] ABSTRACT A portable stepladder comprising: a stepladder with a rowof steps or treads supported by side posts, and a rear support whoseupper end is pivotally connected with the related upper end of thestepladder along a horizontal axis, both said stepladder and said rearsupport being longitudinally split into two sections hinged with eachother and both hinge connections lying in a common plane to allow thestepladder structure to be folded-up into its closed condition. y t

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Harrod 182/152 PAIENIED JUL 1 mm 27 2s *llV2s sum 2 or 2 IIIIIIIIIII I I 5 5 I I PORTABLE, FOLDING STEPLADDERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to portablestepladders and more particularly to a stepladder structure comprising astepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, and arear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the relatedupper end of the stepladder, to be swung from an outwardly inclined oropen position, wherein the stepladder is supported by it, to a closedposition against the stepladder.

The structure according to the invention is particularly suitable forsmall, lightweight, easily handled and compact stepladders forhouseholds, offices, shops and like uses.

As is well known, all heretofore available stepladders substantiallyconsist of a metal or wooden structure, whose weight and sizes are attimes rather troublesome.

Thus, one purpose of this invention consists in the provision of aportable stepladder of the above defined type, which can belongitudinally folded-up to minimize its overall dimensions.

A further purpose of the invention consists in the provision of alightweight and easily handled portable stepladder structure.

The portable stepladder structure according to the invention comprises:a stepladder with a row of steps or treads supported by side posts, anda rear support whose upper end is pivotally connected with the relatedupper end of stepladder along a horizontal axis, and thus adapted to beswung from a closed position to an open position, relative tostepladder, said structure being characterized in that both thestepladder and its rear support are longitudinally split into twosections hinged with each other, and that both hinge connections lie ina common plane, to allow said stepladder structure to be longitudinallyfolded-up when in its closed condition.

A further feature of stepladder structure according to the inventionconsists in that both sections of the stepladder proper, that may bemade of suitable plastics or of a light alloy, have a monocoque carryingstructure, whereby the rear support is enclosed within said monocoquesections when the stepladder is closed and folded-up.

The above and further features of the invention will be disclosed in thefollowing description of a preferred embod-iment of the invention, takenwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stepladder structure according to theinvention, in its open position.

FIG. 2 shows the same stepladder structure of FIG. 1 in its closed andfolded-up condition.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of stepladder structure as shown in the FIG. I.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section, taken on the line lV--IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line V-V of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on the line VI--VI of FIG. 2.

Referring now to said drawings, the stepladder structure according tothe invention substantially comprises the stepladder 10 proper (seeFIG. 1) and a rear support 11 whose upper end is pivotally connectedwith the related upper end of stepladder 10 along a horizontal axis,being thus adapted to be swung from a closed position, wherein it liesflat against said stepladder 10, to the open position as shown in FIG.1.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the stepladder l0 proper is longitudinallysplit into two sections 12 and 13 that are hinge connected with eachother as at 14, 15 and 16 (FIG. 2). Similarly, the rear support 11 islongitudinally split into two sections, also hinged with each other, thehinge connections of the stepladder and of the rear support lying in thesame plane, to allow the whole stepladder structure, when in its closedcondition, to be longitudinally folded-up, thus minimizing its overallsize.

In more detail, each stepladder section 12 or 13 of the consideredembodiment, which may be made of suitable molded plastics or of apressed light alloy, shows a monocoque structure. Openings 17 are formedin each rectangularly shaped stepladder section, whereby to define ineach one of the sections 12 or 13, longitudinal side posts 18 and 19respectively, which are connected with each other by horizontalcrossmembers or treads 20. As can be seen, the openings 17 of astepladder section are adjacent to related openings 17 of the contiguoussection in order to have all treads of both sections accurately alignedwith one another.

As shown in the FIG. 5, all outer posts 18 and inner posts 19 arehollow, with a C-shaped cross-section, and an also C-shaped metalreinforcing member 21 is inserted into, and fastened to each post whileit is being molded or pressed.

As shown in the FIG. 4, the individual steps 20 are also hollow shaped,with the treads slightly inclined upwardly In the considered example,the rear support 11 conversely consists of two tubular members 22 and23, respectively, having oval cross-sections, each tubular member beingpivotally connected at its upper end with a metal reinforcing shape 21corresponding to stepladder section 12 and 13, respectively, by a pin24,25 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) which is fastened crosswise to said metalshapes 21.

Said two tubular members 22 and 23 of the rear support are additionallyconnected with each other by a cross member consisting of two sections26 and 27, respectively, which are pivotally connected with each otheras in 28, i.e. at a point lying at the same longitudinal plane aboutwhich the stepladder sections 12 and 13 are folded-up.

From what has been stated above and shown in the accompanying drawings,it can be readily inferred that the stepladder structure according tothe invention, can

be longitudinally folded-up, while enclosing within it,

thanks to its particular monocoque design, the also folded-up rearsupport 1, as clearly shown in the FIGS. 2,5 and 6 of accompanyingdrawing. Thus, an unusually lightweight and serviceable stepladderstructure is obtained, which can be easily handled and that has a verysmall overall size in its closed and folded-up condition.

The stepladder may be made of a suitable reinforced plastics, for goodappearance, and may also comprise a number of steps different from thatshown in the drawings as a non restrictive example only.

As previously stated also as a non restrictive exam ple only thestepladder is monocoque shaped and is made of molded plastic. However,as can be readily appreciated, a stepladder according to the novelinventive idea might be made in a variety of other manners substantiallyequivalent to that disclosed.

Thus, e.g., the stepladder might consists of two longitudinally foldablesections, with both side posts suitably shaped to accommodate thetubular members or posts of the rear support within them.

What we claims is:

1. A portable stepladder comprising a pair of longitudinally extendingupright side posts, horizontal rungs supported by said side posts, arear support pivotally interconnected at its upper end to the upper endof the stepladder for swinging movement about a horizontal axis betweenan open position in which the lower end of said rear support is spacedfrom the lower end of the stepladder to help support the stepladder anda closed position in which said rear support is collapsed against thestepladder, said rear support comprising at least a pair of uprightelongated spaced members, said stepladder being longitudinally dividedin two portions hingedly interconnected for folding against each other,each of said side posts of said stepladder being of hollow C-shapedcross section and opening toward the other said side post in the foldedcondition of the stepladder, each of said upright members of said rearsupport being received within the hollow C-shaped cross section of theassociated side post when the stepladder is folded.

2. A stepladder as claimed in claim 1, and a crosspiece interconnectingsaid upright members, the crosspiece being hinged intermediate itslength to fold with the stepladder.

3. A stepladder as claimed in claim 2, said stepladder having openingsbetween said rungs, said crosspiece being out of register with any ofsaid openings.

4. A stepladder as claimed in claim 1, each of said hingedlyinterconnected portions of said stepladder being of monocoque one-piececonstruction.

5. A stepladder as claimed in claim 4, there being openings between saidrungs and flanges bordering each of said openings, said flanges being ofthe same height as said C-shaped cross section.

1. A portable stepladder comprising a pair of longitudinally extendingupright side posts, horizontal rungs supported by said side posts, arear support pivotally interconnected at its upper end to the upper endof the stepladder for swinging movement abOut a horizontal axis betweenan open position in which the lower end of said rear support is spacedfrom the lower end of the stepladder to help support the stepladder anda closed position in which said rear support is collapsed against thestepladder, said rear support comprising at least a pair of uprightelongated spaced members, said stepladder being longitudinally dividedin two portions hingedly interconnected for folding against each other,each of said side posts of said stepladder being of hollow C-shapedcross section and opening toward the other said side post in the foldedcondition of the stepladder, each of said upright members of said rearsupport being received within the hollow C-shaped cross section of theassociated side post when the stepladder is folded.
 2. A stepladder asclaimed in claim 1, and a crosspiece interconnecting said uprightmembers, the crosspiece being hinged intermediate its length to foldwith the stepladder.
 3. A stepladder as claimed in claim 2, saidstepladder having openings between said rungs, said crosspiece being outof register with any of said openings.
 4. A stepladder as claimed inclaim 1, each of said hingedly interconnected portions of saidstepladder being of monocoque one-piece construction.
 5. A stepladder asclaimed in claim 4, there being openings between said rungs and flangesbordering each of said openings, said flanges being of the same heightas said C-shaped cross section.